Dispatcher



Nov. 15, 1938. A. DfRoLL-INS `2,136,711

DISPATCHER Original Filed Oct. ll, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nv. l5, 1938.` A. D. RQLLINS DISPATCHER Original Filed Oct. l1, 1926 L l ll @Mr/egg:

Nov. 5, 19.

DISPATCHER Original Filed Oct.

A. D. lFeoLLms ll. 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. D. ROLLINS DISPATCHER Nov. l5, 1938.

originai Filed oct. 11, 192s 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Maw @um Nov. 15, 1938. A. D. ROLLINS DISPATCHER Original Filed 00tll, 1926 9 Sheets-'Sheet 5 Nov. l5, 1938. A. D. RoLLlNs DISPATCHER Original Filed Oct. ll, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 A AAMALAIAA A. D, RoLLlNs 2,136,711

DI SP'ATCHER Original Filed Oct. l1. 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 712/622 for l rc ollz'fe' Jiffy/"lays,

Nov. 15, 1938.

A. D. ROLLINS DISPATCHER koriginal Filed om. 11, 192e `9 sheets-sheet 8 Nov. 15, 1938.

A. D. RoLLlNs DISPTCI-HRv Original FiledV Oct. ll. 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I?? Vefe fr' Patented Nov. 15, 1938 AUNITED STATES DISPATCHER Arch D. Rollins, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Temporator Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Original application October 11, 1926, Serial No. 140,721. Divided and this application October 5, 1934, Serial No. 747,107

6 Claims.

My invention relates to dispatcher and controlling means for timing and controlling factory operations. One object of my invention is to provide improved factory control means whereby 5, a central station may at all times be informed of conditions in the work in various parts of the factory. Another object is to provide such means whereby by a simple system of signals, a central station may bekept informed as to the specific 10` progress of specific pieces or jobs of work going on through the various parts of the factory. Another object is the provision of a central station, and a plurality of sub-statio-ns in quick and easy communication with the central station, whereby the central station may by signal receive from and impart to the sub-stations necessary information. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

This application is a division of my original 20 application Serial No. 140,721, filed October 11,

1926, now Patent No. 1,976,248 issuedOctober 9,

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein f Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the sending or receiving units;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

30 `Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

` Figure 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Figl ure 3;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a plan view with parts removed of the interior mechanism of the unit with the housing removed; l

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the same mecha- Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure-9 is a section on the line ,9-9 of Figure6;

45` Figure 10 is a section on the line lU-IIJ of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a section on the line I l-I I of Figure 8; l

Figure 12 is a section on the line l2l2 of Fig- Figure 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a section on the line lll-I4 of Figure 13; l

55 Figure 15 is a rear view of an indexing device;V

Figure 16 is a section on the line I6-l6 of Figure 12;

Figure 17 is a detail view of a contact sleeve; Figure 18 is a section on the line l8-l8 of Figure 2;

Figure 19 is a section on the line IB--IS of Figure 2;

Figure 20 is a detail view of a modification; Figure 21 is an elevational View of a system showing a central station or sending set and a plurality of receiving sets;

Figure 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical connections of a typical system.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

It will be understood that 1 employ a number of sending and receiving units, of which one may be a central station and the others branch stations. The mechanism of the various units are similar, the differences between them being largely in matters of wiring and circuit.

`Referring for example to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4,

A generally indicates a base member, herein shown as of sheet metal, consisting of the bottom plate A1, the upstanding circumferential side wall 25 A2, the ledge A3, inwardly projecting therefrom and the flange A4 upwardly projecting from the ledge A3. The ange A4 is at each end inwardly and then upwardly continued, to form the upstanding wings A5. 30

At each end of the base A is positioned a block B, held in position for example by the screws B1.

In it is rotatably mounted the pinB2, provided with a key aperture B3 at its outer end and with a hook element B4 at its inner end. 135 is any 35 suitable member for preventing axial movement of the pin B2, the pin being grooved as at B3. The wall A4 is cut away as at B'Z to permit the rotation of the hook B4.

Resting upon the ledge A3 and centered by the 40 flange A4 is any suitable housing member, generally indicated as C, including a generally verticalrear wall C1, a short vertical front wall C2,

a rearwardly inclined forward face C3, a hori- Zontal top C4 and end walls C5. Positioned in 45 the forward front face C3 is any suitable indexing mechanism, including the fixed stop D and the rotating member D1 provided with the Various apertures .D2 overlying the fixed indicating symbols D3. D4 is a push bottom positioned in the 50 same'inclined forward face C3 of the housing and D5 is a glass or lens preferably red.

The housing face is forwardly upset as at DI apertured as at D3, the upset portion being adapted to receive a pane of glass D9 to close such B5 terial.

aperture. D10 are headed pins on the inside of the ends of the housing, such pins being adapted to be engaged bythe hooks or latches B4.

Mounted on the bottom of the base member A is the block E of insulating material upon which are a plurality of contact strips 4E1 held for example by the screws E2, the block as awhole being held in position by the screws E3. Mounted on the inside of the rear wall of the housing area.

plurality of holding clipsv E5 adapted to receive the Contact holding plugs E5 of insulatingma- Mounted in such plugs are the spring pressed plungers or pins E", adapted to engage the contact strips E1 when the housing isv in position on the base. E are any suitable conductors, communicating with the plungers E", which extend to the dial mechanism above described.

Mounted between the upwardly projecting wings A is a supporting structure comprising end plates G, connected by the transverse members G1, G2 riveted or otherwise secured thereto. The member G1 is flanged at front and rear as at G3, G4, the lower flange G4 being substantially shorter than the upper flange. The member G2 is flanged at each edge as at G5, G5. The flanges G2, G5, G6 are notched at intervals as at G", the width of the flanges at the bottom o f the notches being substantially equal to the flange G4. The end members G are slotted at three points as at G10, these slots overlying the transverse slots G11 in the wings A5, the intersecting slots permitting adjustment of the relation ofthe'opposed plates. G12 are any suitable securing bolts Vwith the nuts G14, the inner washer G15 rand the outer washer G15, as shown in Figure 19.

Secured to the upper edge of the lower side of the member G1 are a plurality of blocks I-I of insulating material apertured to receive a plurality of contact sleeves H1 which are upwardly slotted as at H2, vas shown in Figure 17. Each such sleeve has secured at its lower end, as shown in Figure 16, any suitable wire or conductor.

Secured to the lower'edge of the rear of the member G1 are a plurality ofblocks H3 similar to the blocks H and provided with similar slotted contact sleeves H1.

Riveted or otherwise secured -to the member G2 adjacent the upper portion of the bottom thereof -is the bracket member J, to which is se- 5` cured the insulating block J1, to which are' secured the clip and conductormembers J2, associated with which is a light J3, herein shown as a standard telephone light. The light J3 is centered beneath theglass or lens D5, earlier mentioned, and secured adjacent the opposite end of the members G2 is the similar bracket member J5 with the insulating block J7 in which is mounted a double switch comprising three stationary leaves or contacts J2, J9, J10, between which arelocated the two movable leaves J11, J12, provided with the insulating spacing members J13, J14. It will be understood that the switch is positioned beneath the switch button D4, and that a pressure upon the button D4, will move the switch leaves J11, Jia

Secured to the lower face of the member G2 intermediate the brackets J and J5 are two identical quick acting `magnets K, K1, each comprising a bracket member'K2 having an outwardly turned flange K3 to which is secured a contact block K4 and the switch bracket K5. K9, K4, K5 areherein shown as secured together by the screw K5, the inner end of which serves also to support and position the magneticcoil K'Yfby axial engagement `T with its core K9. Mounted on the switchbracket K5 of the quick acting magnet K1, in which are mounted the switch leaves K10, K11, K being provided with a terminal insulated block K12, K14 are ears projecting outwardly from the switch bracket K5. To them is pivoted the switch controlling lever, one arm of which K is adapted to engage the block K12 on the leaf K10, and the other arm of which K15 is adapted to be drawn to the core K8 of the electromagnet K7 in response to its electric actuation. The leaf K10 is in such case thrust into contact with the leaf K11,

the switch being thus closed in response to and during actuation of the electromagnetic coil K". The magnet K has mounted on the insulating block K9 the switch leaves K20, K21 (Fig. 7).

Secured to the opposite side of the member G2, adjacent one end thereof, is the insulating block L\(Fig. 12) held for example by the screws L1, and provided with nine contact sleeves L2 substantially identical with the contact sleeves H1 earlier described. This is shown particularly in Figures 6, '7 and 12.

Secured to one of the end plates G of the cradle, for example as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, is a bracket member M mounted upon the flange M1 inwardly projecting from the plate G. The bracket carries the electro-magnet M2 with the core M3. M4 is a reset shaft rotatably mounted in the plates G and extending from end to end of the cradle, it being held at the ends for example by the screws M5 passing through the plates G. Mounted thereupon is the arm M5 and the plate M7 opposed to the core M3 of the electro-magnet. It is to be understood that actuation of the electro-magnet will draw the arm M5 toward the core M3, and thus rock the shaft M4. M9 indicates a stop member with the terminal lug or hanger M9 adapted to limit the downward movement of the lever M5 when it drops in response to gravity during inactivity of the magnet. It will be understood that the reset shaft M4 carries a plurality of levers M10, arranged to cooperate, respectively, with the locking pawl levers O3, hereinafter referred to, for the purpose of simultaneously releasing all of said pawls when the shaft is rocked due to energization of magnet M2. Furthermore, the said levers Mlo may be adjusted and positioned as a group, with respect to said locking pawl lever, by slightly depressing or by bending the ange M9 of the stop M0.

Mounted upon the members G1, G2, and seating in the slots G7, are a plurality of indicator units and a single advance unit. The indicator units are identical and but one will be described. Each such indicator unit, shown in detail for example in Figures 8, 9 and 10, consists of a side plate N with a forward flange N1 at right angles thereto and an upper flange N"2 likewise at right angles to the plate. The side flanges N1 and N2J thus partiallt7 enclose the mechanism mounted on the plate N, and they are so shaped and proportioned that when several units are assembled in juxtaposed position on the cradle unit, said flange cooperates with the exposed face of the next adjacent unit, to aid mounting the proper relative Apositions of the several units on said cradle structure, and more particularly with respect to the windows in the face plate through which the indicating characters are visible, Mounted upon ,the flange N2 is the bracket N3 carrying the electro-magnetic coil N4 with its core N5. It also carries the insulating block N5 carrying three contact pins N'Z adapted to engage the contact sleeves H1 in the block H.` It is to be further asf1 , rotation of the wheels.

l Wheel O2.

1 block P5.

noted that the side plate of each unit is cutaway at N23 to permit the units to straddle the reset shaft M4 as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Pvoted to the plate N, as at N2, is the lever N3,

l having a portion N10 opposed to the coreN5 of the vlower arm N13 having a rocking or cam surface N14 opposed to a lug N15 on the plate N. The upper arm of the lever N12 is normally moved to the right, asshown in Figure 9, by the tension spring N15. It carries a dog Nl'lnormally moved in clockwise direction by the spiral spring N18 against the guide or stop N10. N20 is a stop to limit the movement of the dog.l N22'is a stop on the plate N to limit the turning of lever N9.

O is a shaft fixed upon the plate N upon which is mounted a sleeve O1 to which is xed a ratchet Counter-clockwise direction of rotation of the sleeve and ratchet wheel is prevented by the pawl O3 pivated as at O1 to the plate and normally held in operating position by the tension spring O5. It will be understoodthat at each actuation of the electro-magnet N1 the number N10 will be drawn to the core N5 and the lower arm of the lever N9 will be rotated clockwise, as shown in Figure 9, the lever arm N13 will engage the stop N15 and rotate about the pivot N11. The dog N11 will be thrust along the guide N19 to engage the ratchet teeth of the wheel O2, imparting to the wheel and sleeve O1 a movement in clockwise direction. The stop N20 limits this movement to a distance substantially equal to the length of one of the ratchet teeth, the pawl O3 overriding one tooth and engaging the next tooth to prevent rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction. It will be understood that the reset shaft ML1 with its lever M10 will, upon its counterclockwise rot-ation as shown in Figure 9, move the pawl O3 into inoperative position, thereby releasing the ratchet wheel and permitting retrograde rotation of the sleeve O1. Y

The sleeve O1, as shown in Figure 9, the control of the rotation of which has above been described,

' carries the following indicator mechanism. P, P1

are cupped wheels with the outwardly turned rims or ilanges P2, upon which is positioned the indicator strip P3. P1 is a stop element associated with the wheels P, P1 and adapted to engage the fixed stop P5 on the plate N at the limit of The stop P1 also engages the insulating block P on the end of the off normal switch leaf Pr1 mounted in the insulating Referring to Figure l0, when the stop P1 is engaging the xed stop P5, and prior .to rotation of the indicating assembly, it is in engagement with said block` P0 and is holding the lswitch leaf P1 out of contact with theopposite switch leaf P3. As soon as the assembly is rotated from normal position and as soon as the `stop P1 clears the blockP, the off normal switch is closed and remains closed until the said stop returns to lits initial position. `The squared portion O10 of the shaft O carries-the plate P10, thereby fixed against rotation. Between the plate P10 and the sleeve O1 is the spiral spring P11 adapted normally to rotate the sleeve O1 in counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Figs. 9 and 11, this tendency being normally checked by the interposition of the pawl O3. P12 is a pin which passes through the wheels P, P1, the stop Pl1 and the ratchet wheel O2, and through flanges O11, O12 on the sleeve O1, thus holding the entire assembly against relative rotation.

It will be understood that the indicator member P3 may be provided with any desired symbols, the indicator strip and the wheels upon which it is mounted being aligned with the glass D1, the forward flanges N1 of the plate N being cut away as at N21 to render the signals visible.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate theV advance unit` adapted to control the advance -or movement of the successive individual indicator units, in response for example to dialing. The advance units include a frame structure substantially identical with that of the indicator units, including the side plate N with the forward flange N1 at right angles to it, and theupper flange N2 also at right .angles to the plate. The same bracket N3 carries an identical electro-magnetic coil R with its core R1 and the insulating block R2 with the three contact pins on each side adapted to engage the contact sleeves H1 in one of the blocks H.

ASimilarly, the lever N0 is pivoted as at N8 to the plate N and supports a portion N10 opposed to the core R1 of the electro-magnet. The lower end of the lever has pivoted to it, as at N11, the supplemental lever with the upper arm N12 and thelower. arm N13 with its rocking or cam surface N11 opposed to the lug N154 on the plate. The upper arm N12 is normally moved to the right, as shown in Figure 12, by the tension spring N10 and carries the dog N17.

S is a shaft secured to the plate N and Sl is a reduced shaft portion forwardly extending from the end of the thicker portion of the shaft. The reduced portion is squared at the end as at S2 and provided with a lock spring clip S3.

Surrounding the shaft S, S1 is the sleeve S4 conforming thereto. Mounted about that portion of the sleeve which surrounds the thicker portion S of the shaft is the ratchet wheel S5, the spacers S5, the stop members S7 adapted to engage the fixed stop P on the plate N, andthe indicator discs S8 with the indicator strip S2, the structure being substantially the same asA that shown in Figure 11 and employed for the individual indicator units.

` The portion of the sleeveS1 which surrounds the reduced portion S1 of the shaft carries a number of elements below described and terminates in al squared portion S10 upon which is mounted a disc S11 surrounded by the spring S12, the inner end of the spring penetratingV a slot S1l1 of the disc and the outer end being secured to the member S15 inwardly projecting from the wheel S10 xed on the square portion S2 of the shaft S and held in position by the spring lock member S3. The stop member S1 is adapted to engage the Xed stop P5 on the plate N `and to actuate the switch levers S18, S19 identically as the stop member P1 actuates switch levers P1 and P9.

The parts above described are substantially identical in form and operation to the corresponding parts shown in Figure 11 and found in the individual indicator units.

Mounted on the lower portion of the shelf N2 is the sheet metal bracket T to which is securedY the Vblock T1 of insulating material, centrally apertured as. at T2 topermit the passage of the reduced portion` of the sleeve S4. Secured to the outer face of the block T1 are the shield members T3, 'I'1 positioned back to back, as` shown in Figure 13, the outer rim T5 of the member T4 extending outwardly around and surrounding thev spring S12.

Mounted on the block T1 concentrically about the central aperture T2 is the contact ringT5 secured for example by the screws TY' and having the outwardly projecting rim or fiange T8. Mounted concentrically about it are a plurality of contacts T9, each including the hollow sleeve T10 passing through the block T1, the outwardly projecting portion T11 and the inwardly turned portion T12. T1'1 is any suitable wiring connection extending from such contacts to the contact pins T in the block T16 secured to the bracket T (Fig. 12). It will be understood that there is a pin and a wiring connection for each of the indicator units.

Mounted about the reduced portion of the sleeve S4 are any suitable insulating rings U, held in position by the locking member U1 and having mounted thereupon three wipers U2, U3, U4. The wiper U2 is adapted to wipe the outer face'of the iiange T2. U3 and U4 wipe the opposite sides of the inwardly turned portions T12 of l the contact member T9.

Referring to Figure 20, which is a modified form of the operation of the structure shown for example in Figures 8 and 9, the upper arm N12 of the supplemental lever pivoted to the lower end of the lever N9, has pivoted to it a dog N having an upwardly extending ear N25Vto which is secured-the single tension spring N2I1 which carries out the function of both of the springs N15 and N18, as shown in Figure 9, drawing the lever arm to the right and imparting a clockwise movement to the dog N25.

As illustrated in Figure 15, the indexing device has at the rear a plurality of spring contacts insulated from each other, of which two V1, V2

;are operated by the cam V3, which in turn is actuated by the Vturning of the rotating member D1. The cam V3 is positioned so as to hold the spring contacts V1, V2 apart when the indexing device is at rest. The spring contacts V4, V5 are closed and opened by the lever V5 in the usual manner. The spring contacts V2 and V5 are electrically connected as at V7.

Figure 21 illustrates a schematic layout of a central station and sub-stations, of which three are shown.

W indicates a switch-board panel of insulating material. Mounted thereon are a plurality of multiple jacks W1 and pilot lights W2, each pair representing a different sub-station which may be identified by numbers, as shown. Secured to each jack W1 are a plurality of wires, later to be described and generally indicated as W3, which extend tothe sub-stations Y is the control station having a phone plug Y1 connected to the wire cord Y The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

One of the objects of my invention being to provide improved factory control means whereby a central station may at all times follow up the work in various parts of the factory, and whereby means of communication between a central station and sub-stationsl are provided, I have developed a system whereby from a plurality of sending stations information may be sent to a central receiving station, it being understood that the receiving station can send and the sending stations can receive. I thus provide a complete system of factory communication. The general operation of the device will be clear from Figure 22, a schematic layout or wiring diagram in which only two stations are shown, one of which may be considered the main receiving or central station and the other, one of the supplemental stations.

In practice, each station includes a receiving and sending mechanism, housed as shown for example in Figures 1 and 2 and 21, with a dialing mechanism on the forward face of the housing C and a 4transparent window adapted to permit the observation of one symbol at a time upon each of the plurality of indicating cylinders or strips employed.

When an operator wishes to send a message from any of the sub-stations, he presses the button D1 which actuates the switch leaves J11, J12. 'I'he effect is to close the circuit through the pilot light W2 on the switch-board W, along the conductive line d from the battery d1 along the conductor d2, the light W2 and line d3, through the leaves J11, J11 back along the conductor d4 and back through d5 to the battery d1. The light W2 is preferably positioned only at the central station switch-board and serves to indicate that an operator at a sub-station is trying to communicate. The central operator then takes the plug Y1, which may be a regular telephone plug connected to the central station, and plugs it into the multiple jack W1, thereby closing the circuit through the line d from the battery d1, the jack W1, line e, wire e1 through the light J 3 showing through the red lens D5 on the face of the sub-station X, the wire e2, spring leaves J8, J11, back through the wire d3, the' jack W1, wires e3, d5 to the battery d1. At the same time the circuit is closed through the pilot light W2, independently of the closure of the manually operated switch button D4, the circuit being made from the battery d1 through the wires d, d2, pilot light W2, wire d3, the jack W1, lines e3, d5 back to the battery. At the same time the sub-station and the main station are so connected that any actuation of the dial of the sub-station will actuate the identical indicating members and actuate the advance units of the two stations identically so that identical signals will appear at both stations, thus enabling the sender to check his message.

Accordingly when the light J3 is illuminated, the sender, knowing that the connection has been made, proceeds to dial his message by actuating the rotating member D1 with its apertures D2 overlying the fixed indicating symbols D3. The operator places his nger in the aperture over the desired number or letter to be indicated and rotates the member D1 until his finger engages the stop D. The operation of this mechanism being the same as that commonly employed in that of automatic telephones, I have made no detailed description of this feature.

By rotating the member D1 in clockwise direction, the arm V6 moves out of contact with the leaf spring V4, thereby closing the contact leaves V4, V5 and making electrical connection through the relay coils K1 of the station X and coil K1 of the central station Y. A circuit is established from the battery d1 through the line d, multiple jack W1, line e, wire f, the relay magnet K1, wire f1, f2, the spring leaf contacts V4, V5 of the sub-station indexing dial, lines f3, d1, d5 back to the battery d1. Electrical connection is also made from the battery d1 through the wires d, f4, the relay magnet k1 of the central station Y, lines f5, f5, the switch-board jack W1, lines f7, f2, Contact leaves V4, V5, lines f3, d4, d5 back to the battery d1. Magnetizing of relay coil K1 causes switch leaves K10, K11 to be closed, thereby establishing an electrical circuit from the battery d1, wire d, switchboard jack W1, wires e, f, contact leaves K11, K10, the line g, magnet R, lines U1, d5 and back to the battery. Through 15 `farthest to the left.

this impulse the magnet R attracts the upper portion N1o of the lever N9, which actuates the arms N12, which by its rocking motion of its cam -surface N11 of the lower portion N13 against the lug N15 moves the dog N17 to the left, thereby engaging a tooth of the ratchet wheel S5 and turning the sleeve S4 in clockwise direction. As soon as the assembly is rotated and as soon as the stop Slclears the switch contacts S18, S19, the switch is closed and establishes an electrical circuit, which willbelater described.

By turning of the sleeve S4, the wipers U3, U4, `are moved into contact with a contact sleeve T9,

`this electrical impulse, the magnet 1 of the advance unit of the central station causes the switch leaves S19, S19-to be closed and moves wip- `er U4 into contact with a contact sleeve t9, connected bythe line i3 with the magnet n4 of the indicator unit farthest to the left. By the closing ofthe switch leaves S19, S19 electrical connection is made from the battery d1 through the Wires d, f4, Q6, the red light 30 of the central station Y, wire Q7, contact leaves S191 S19, wires g8, Q4, Q5, d5 back to the battery.

As soon as the operator of the substation X allows the rotating member D1 of the dial to return to its original position, the cam V3 rotates and closes and opens contact leaves V1, V2fas many times as the number dialed. Electrical circuits are thereby made from the battery d1, wire d, jack w1, wire e, relay magnet K of the substation X, wires h, h1, contact leaves V1, V2 of the dial, wires f3, d'1, d5 back to the battery, and another circuit from the battery d1 through the wires d, f4, h2, relay contacts k2, 1621, wire i2, wiper u1oi the. advance unit of the central station Y, Wire i3, magnet 11.4, wires g4, g5, d5 and back to the battery. As soon as the Vdial at X station is moved by `the operator into-'the offnormal or operative position, negative battery is fed through d5, d4, i9 through the dial contact V5 into dial leaf spring V4, thence through f2, f1, energizing K1. The current divides between f1 and f2, and also travels through f1 through jack W1 along the lines f6, f5, to energize the electromagnet K1, thence through the lines f4 and d to the battery. Likewise the energy returns from K1 through f, through e, through jack` W1 to wire d, to positive battery. It is seen, therefore, that K1, k1 are energized simultaneously and are in parallel. Likewise, dial Z is wired in parallel with the dial at station X, through f1 and f6. Also g5 supplies negative battery to dial Z. Likewise d5, d4, ,19 supplies direct negative battery to dial at station X.

When the cam V3 on either dial X or Z is rotated a number of times predetermined by the digit dial, the contact springs V1 and V2 close. V2 receives negative battery through d5, d4, I9 and supplies negative battery to V1, thence through h1, wherein the current divides into 71. and he. The current passing through h energizos relay magnet coil K, returning to battery through 4, through d, to positive battery. Likewise h5 through jack W1 through h5, h4 in the plug Y1 `through 719, thence to k relay magnet,

thencethrough 112, f4 topositive battery d1.

Y Thus relay magnets K, ld receive impulses from either dial X or Z which cause these relays in turn toj supply impulses from positive i batterythroughrd, through jack W1, through e, also from positive battery through wires f4, h2 through contactsK21 and R21, thence through contacts on ,armature ,of relay K2 and .1620,

through i2 and i', thence through wiper arm U4, l

rc?,- on each advance unit through the wire i9,

i1 on each station X and Y, through the indicator unit .magnet N4, n4 toV negative battery through g1, d5. and g4, g5 and d5.

The so-called reset magnets M2, m2 are oper- Z `ated. in parallel any time that the buttons m4 and D1 are depressed.l The leaf springs m5 and J9, 7'11 receive energy as described above. 'Ihis parallel operation of electromagnets M2 and m2 only oecurs when the plug with thecord attached `is insei-,ted -inV jack W1, since the wire and contact 76, jl through J9, i9 provides the paralleling of the electromagnets M2, m2 as herein set forth. Likewise the wire i5 leading to plug Contact je.

Magnetizing of the magnet coils N4, n4 causes the switch leaves'P, P9 ofthe substation X and the contactleaves p", p9 of the central station Y to be closed, thereby Vestablishing two signal circuits, one through the pilot light W2. which will be later described, and another through the light J1() of the central station.

Each successive dialing will advance wipers U4, w1 `to the `next following contact sleeves T9, t9, each of which is connected by a wire i1 or i9 with a magnet N4 or n? of an indicatorunit, as shown .6

in Fig, 22. i

Shouldthe operator of the substation X desire to correct a message, by pressing of the push button D4 electrical circuits are made through the reset magnets M2, m2 of both stations, one circuit from theY battery d1-,throughthe Wire d, jack W1, wires e, i1, reset magnet Mg2 of the substation X, wire j2, switch leaves ,110, J12, wires d4, d5 and back to the battery. `Anothercircuit from the battery ,d1 through `the wires d, f1, i3, reset magnet m2 of the central station Y, wires i4, i5, contact i6 of the telephone plug Y1, spring. contact :i1 of the jack W1, wire-i9, through the jack W1, wires i9, i2, spring contact J10, U12, wires d4, 01.5 back to the battery.

After receiving ofthe message, the operator of the central station presses next the push button m4 of the receiving and sending device, thereby closing a switch, generally indicated as m5. This switch is similar in construction to the one employed at the substation, but has only two spring leaves. By closing of the switch m5, electrical circuits are made, one from the battery d1 through the wires d, f4, 7'3, reset magnet m2, wire i4, reset switch m5, wires m6, g5, d5 and back to the battery. Another circuit from the battery d1 through the wire d, jack W1, wires e, i1, reset magnet M2, wire i9, jack W1, wire i8, spring contact i7 of the jack, contact 7'6 of the plug Y1, line i5, reset switch m5, wires m6, g5, d5 back to the battery.

After resetting the station, operator of the central station pulls out the plug Y1. Should any of the indicator units or advance unit of a substation fail to function properly and any of the spring contacts P2, P9, or S111, S19 keep in contact with each other, the pilot light W2 will stay alight, being in circuit with the battery d1 through the wires d, d2, pilot light W2, wires d4, m10, spring leaves P9, l?7 or S111, S19, wires m11, g1, d5 and back to the battery.

The equipment is laid out in such a manner that any one of the various outlying stations X terminates upon an individual line jack W1. By inserting thel plug Yl in any of the jacks w1, the central station receiving and recording equipment is connected to any of the X stations as desired, so that a message may be transmitted from any outlying station to the central station. Likewise, a message can be transmitted from the central station to any outlying station.

I claim:

1. In a station for a dispatcher system, a supporting structure, a plurality of indicator units, means for removably mounting the units on said supporting structure, each of said units including an indicating wheel biased to normal non-indicating position, means for advancing said Wheel, means for locking said wheels in advanced positions, and reset means for the wheels including a reset shaft mounted in the supporting structure and common to all said wheels, separate lever arms on the shaft for each wheel, and means for rocking the shaft to simultaneously clear all the Wheels.

2. In a station for a dispatcher system, a supporting structure, a plurality of indicator units, means for removably mounting said units on said structure, each of said units including an indicating wheel biased to a non-indicating normal position, means for separately advancing said wheels, means for locking the wheels in advanced positions, and means for resetting the wheels to a normal position including a shaft carried by the supporting structure and common to al1 the units, separate wheel release means for each Wheel carried by the shaft, an actuating arm carried by said shaft, and means cooperating therewith to define the normal inoperative position of all of said wheel releasing means.

3. In a station for a dispatcher system, a supporting structure, a plurality of indicator units, means for removably mounting said units on said structure, each of said units including an indicating wheel biased to a non-indicating normal position, means for separately advancing said wheels, means for locking the wheels in advanced positions, and means for resetting the wheels to a normal position including a shaft carried by the supporting structure and common to all the units,

separate wheel release means for each wheel carried by the shaft, an actuating arm including an armature, a magnet carried by said supporting structure and operably positioned with respect to the armature, means for defining the position of the armature when the magnet is deenergized to thereby position all of said arms with respect to the respective units, and means for energizing the magnet to simultaneously clear all the wheels.

4. In a station for a dispatcher system, a supporting structure, a plurality of indicator units, means for removably mounting said units on the supporting structure, each of said units including a side plate having mounted thereon an indicating Wheel biased to normal non-indicating position, means for advancing the Wheel, and means for locking the wheel in advanced position; a reset shaft mounted in a supporting structure and extending transversely of all of said units, the side plates of said units being cut away in transverse alignment to straddlingly engage said shaft, and means carried by the shaft for simultaneously releasing all of the wheel locking means when the shaft is rocked.

5. In a station for a dispatcher system, a supporting structure, a plurality of indicator units, means for removably mounting said units thereon, each of said units including a side plate, and indicating mechanism mounted thereon, said side plates being provided with ianges at the edges thereof, said flanges extending substantially perpendicularly to the plate to partially enclose the indicator mechanisms mounted thereon.

6. In a station for a dispatcher system, a supporting structure, a plurality of indicator units, means for removably mounting said units thereon, each of said units including a side plate, and indicating mechanism mounted thereon, said side plates being provided with flanges at the edges thereof, said anges extending substantially perpendicularly to the plate to partially enclose the indicator mechanisms mounted thereon, and being dimensioned to contact the outer face of the side plate of the next adjacent unit when assembled on said supporting structure to insure proper relative positioning of said units.

ARCH D. ROLLINS. 

